S-GAME Addresses "Nobody Needs Xbox" Controversy Surrounding Phantom Blade Zero

S-GAME, the studio behind the anticipated titles Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, has officially responded to a controversy sparked by an anonymous source's comments at ChinaJoy 2024. The initial report, originating from a Chinese news outlet and subsequently picked up by international gaming news sites, claimed a Phantom Blade Zero developer stated that Xbox lacked interest in the Asian market. This was further misconstrued by some outlets, with translations ranging from "no one shows any interest in Xbox" to the more inflammatory "nobody needs this platform."

S-GAME's official statement, released on Twitter (X), firmly refutes the notion that these sentiments reflect the company's stance. The statement emphasizes S-GAME's commitment to broad accessibility, explicitly stating that no platforms have been excluded for Phantom Blade Zero. The company is actively pursuing both development and publishing strategies to maximize the game's reach to players worldwide.

While S-GAME doesn't directly address the anonymous source's credibility, the underlying issue of Xbox's comparatively lower market share in Asia is undeniable. Sales figures in regions like Japan highlight the significant gap between Xbox and competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo. Furthermore, limited retail availability in many Southeast Asian countries has historically hampered Xbox's penetration.

Speculation regarding an exclusive deal with Sony, fueled by previous statements acknowledging Sony's support for development and marketing, has also been addressed. S-GAME has denied any exclusive partnership, reiterating their plans for a PC and PlayStation 5 release.

Despite the lack of explicit confirmation regarding an Xbox release, S-GAME's response leaves the possibility open. The focus remains on delivering Phantom Blade Zero to a wide audience, suggesting that an Xbox version remains a potential future development.